Lot 146: Dalton, John

Dalton, John
A New System of Chemical Philosophy. Manchester: S. Russell for R. Bickerstaff [Vol. I, part 1], 1808; Russell and Allen for R. Bickerstaff [Vol. I, part 2], 1810; the executors of S. Russell for George Wilson [Vol. III], 1827
3 parts in 2 volumes (9 1/2 x in.; 241 x 140 mm, uncut). 8 engraved plates; scattered foxing to plates in part I, manuscript chemical table mounted on rear pastedown of part I, printed broadsheet mounted on front pastedown of part I entitled "Atomic Symbols, by John Dalton, explanatory of a lecture given by him to the Members of the Manchester Mechanics' Institution, 19th October 1835;" offsetting throughout. Contemporary cloth-backed boards, hand-lettered labels; spines faded, boards soiled. Quarter blue morocco folding-case.
FIRST EDITION, A FINE, COMPLETE SET. Dalton's work on the atomic theory of matter maintained that all matter was composed of indestructible and indivisible atoms of various weights, each weight corresponding to one of the chemical elements. These atoms remained unchanged during chemical processes, and their particular weight determined their identity. New System, therefore, presented the first chemical atomic theory giving significance to the relative weights of the ultimate particles of all known compounds, and also provided a quantitative explanation of the phenomena of chemical reaction. "In this [work] & Dalton first made formal claim for the privileged status of & chemical atoms," thereby reconstructing "Newton's speculations on the structure of matter, and, applying them in a new form to chemistry, gave Lavoisier's reformation of that science a deeper significance" (DSB).
References: Duveen 156; Grolier-Horblitt 22; Norman 1:575
Provenance: Haskell F. Norman (bookplate; sold Christie's New York, 16 June 1998, lot 399)